http://www.msx.d4e.co.jp/I really want one of these. My MSX2 is almost broken, has no floppy drive, takes up a lot of space, and can't be moved (short cables mean I can't place it on my lap to play).
This plays games off cartridge, lets you use your own keyboard or joypad (there are 2 USB ports and a PS/2 port) and lets you save to SD card! I think you might be able to load ROMs off of SD, too (A japanese speaker can help clear this up). That would mean you could play the English fan-translations of MetalGear (MG: Redux), MetalGear 2: Solid Snake, Snatcher and SD Snatcher on a home console (with your biggest TV).
I really like the idea, and the price of 20,000 Yen (£90/$170) doesn't put me off.
I'm not sure where I can order one from.

EDIT-
I've just found the European distrubtion site. They're not selling them just yet, but they will once 500 people have signed up to their Newsletter (or so I understand).
http://www.bazix.nl/onechipmsx.html

You should be able to load ROMs off an SD to it, yeah. By the way, the Japanese site says only 5,000 will be made.

That thing looks really nice. They said they were showing a playable version at TGS. People could bring their own games and try them out.

Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:21 pm

87th

General

Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:35 pmPosts: 2150Location: Zanzibarland

That's just the first batch. They're making more for international sales. They will also support the firmware (I think updates will be installed via SD card). You may be able to run MSX2+ games on it, in the future.

Hmm, well that's the impression I got from reading both sites. That it's being shared worldwide. Only saying. Anyone who really wants one is better off getting it as early as possible anyway.

Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:12 am

Artemio

Site Admin

Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:33 amPosts: 2880Location: Mexico

I don't know if you guys subscribed to the newsletter:, here is what they said last night:

Quote:

Thank you very much for subscribing to the One Chip MSX newsletter. The reactions we received so far are overwhelming. It's about time to give you an update on the One Chip MSX distribution status. In Japan, D4 Enterprise has just started taking orders on the first batch of 5,000 One Chip MSX computers.

As you may have noticed, Bazix has not started taking orders yet. It has turned out that a few parts on the One Chip MSX board are not compliant with European production directives, which means that the One Chip MSX cannot be distributed to Europe or the USA in its current form. However, together with D4 Enterprise and the manufacturer of the One Chip MSX, we are currently investigating the possibility of producing a separate batch of One Chip MSX computers that should comply with these production directives. We expect to be able to reveal more information on this in the near future.

We understand you would like to get your hands on a One Chip MSX as soon as possible, and highly appreciate your patience and understanding. Through this newsletter, we will keep informing you on the status of the One Chip MSX production, distribution, pricing and (pre)ordering.

I haven't completed the last step o fteh pre-order yet.... So I must say I am still in the "previous step". That 360 HD-DVD drive is getting my attention now, even with that Dolby Digital downsampling stuff... Reading...

_________________From the mathematical perspective, consciousness might be regarded as a second derivative of sensation.-- Terrel Miedaner

There's a small page long feature on the OneChip MSX in the new GamesTM magazine, including an interview with Sander Zuidema- the spokesman of Bazix, which I can type up if anyone's interested (he confirms the ability to run games from SD or MMC cards, and mentions something about new homebrew games for the system).

I'm actually avoiding spending money while I'm on holiday, just so I can still get one. I don't think there's much I want to get while I'm here, anyway (although I managed to pick up a near mint Phantom Brave for £5, yesterday).

Earlier this month a meeting between representatives of MSX Association, ESE Artists Factory and Bazix took place in Tokyo, Japan. During this meeting, the status and future of the Western One Chip MSX Project was discussed. As we already knew, several changes have taken place in the organisations of the parties involved - especially in the organisation of D4 Enterprise, the Japanese company that produced the One Chip MSX for the Japanese market. As D4E focuses more and more on digital software distribution, it didn't seem probable for this company to become responsible for the Western One Chip MSX after all, so we came to the conclusion that it would be better to focus on production of the Western One Chip MSX elsewhere.

Together with MSX Association and ESE Artists Factory we have discussed the changes that have to be made to make the One Chip MSX suitable for commercial distribution on the Western market, as well as some possible improvements compared to the Japanese version. Next, we have started looking around for companies that can produce the Western One Chip MSX. In the coming weeks, we expect to receive several quotes which we shall then compare and discuss with our Japanese partners. We will also try to investigate the effect of some of the discussed improvements to the One Chip MSX design on production costs. After carefully weighing all options we will select a final design for the Western One Chip MSX.

On www.onechipmsx.com we will soon launch a blog on which the process of the Western One Chip MSX project can be followed. Naturally, we will also keep informing you via this newsletter. As an added bonus, people who have pre-ordered the One Chip MSX in the past will get priority treatment over those who didn't as soon as the ordering period for the Western One Chip MSX opens. But of course, also people who didn't pre-order will get their chance to obtain a One Chip MSX when it becomes available.

On behalf or all parties involved we would like to express our regrets for the slow pace in which the Western One Chip MSX has progressed so far. Our aim to bring the new MSX computer to markets other than Japan proved to be a tough challenge and the setbacks we have encountered have frustrated us possibly more than they almost certainly have frustrated you. Due to the agreements with our Japanese partners we could reveal very little to no information so far. We expect to bring you a steady flow of new information from now on and aim to send out status updates at least once every two months. Furthermore, if you have any suggestions, questions or feature requests for the Western One Chip MSX and its production please let us know so that we could take them into consideration.

It's not an emulator. It's a new MSX2 that's compatible with a lot of new technology (including USB controllers and SD cards). Most importantly, you can use either physical cartridges or ROM files. It's ideal for anyone with MSX cartridges and a failing MSX. My Hit-Bit's pretty much dead, so I've been looking forward to this for a while.

Again, this is the only forum I know that makes me lust for dated technology, rather than fancy new graphics cards...

_________________

Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:34 pm

JimboKudo

Major

Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:06 amPosts: 600Location: Missouri, USA

X_Lupin wrote:

Neato! I guess I'll be ordering one when they become available.

Again, this is the only forum I know that makes me lust for dated technology, rather than fancy new graphics cards...

It also makes it easier to wait for the translation patch. I still plan on using these forums anyway, even after that. Definetly the best forum I've ever been on.

Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:56 pm

87th

General

Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:35 pmPosts: 2150Location: Zanzibarland

Remember, this is an expensive little toy. The original price was 20,000 Yen (And the current exchange rate makes that roughly £95/$185/€125). The people behind this have been doing around 2 years of unpaid work, so I wouldn't be too surprised if the price has changed since then. You'll have to be a pretty hardcore fan of MSX games to buy this without feeling short-changed.

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